Show+Me+How+Cards

=Show Me How=

Purpose
This practice and review activity requires participants to role-play and practice skills while encouraging peer sharing and peer coaching in a day long assistive technology software training class for educators. The activity can be modified for any software training class in which participants will be responsible for teaching/coaching others on the tool when they return to their work environment.

Time Required
The activity will take 25-90 minutes depending on whether one, two or three 25-30 minute sessions are scheduled. The first session is typically scheduled either before or after morning break. The guideline is to run the activity when you want participants to review and practice what they have learned before moving on to new material.

Number of Participants
The activity takes place during a software training class with a maximum of 24 attendees. The minimum number of participants is 8 and the optimum is 18.

Supplies Needed
The facilitator needs to have enough copies of Show Me How scenario sheets (sample:) [|ShowMeScenarios.doc] and feedback forms [|Feedback Form.doc] to hand out to each participant. Participants need a pen/pencil.

Preparation
The facilitator needs to write eight or more how to scenarios in a document for each practice/review session planned. If three sessions are planned, then the facilitator needs to create three different scenario sheets - each with 8 or more scenarios. The scenarios should contain 2-3 requests which can be taught/demonstrated in 2-4 minutes. The facilitator needs to have enough copies of the scenario sheet(s) and feedback form to give to each participant. One feedback form can be used for up to three sessions. The facilitator also needs to write the process steps and timing on a whiteboard or flipchart or display in a powerpoint slide so participants can refer to it if they don't hear/remember the instructions.

Introduction
So far today, you have been practicing Kurzweil 3000 skills on your own and it looks like you have a good grasp of the material. However, when you return to your school, you will be showing students and your peers how to use Kurzweil 3000 features, so we are going to try something new and have you pair up and practice teaching someone else some of what you have learned this morning. I'm handing out two sheets of paper. One has several different scenarios and the other is feedback form. Please take one of each. Let me explain the activity first and then I'll answer your questions. First, you will each take a turn as the student and teacher. As a "student", you select which scenario that you want to be "taught" and your "teacher" will show you how answer your questions. Then you will switch roles and the new 'student" selects a different scenario to be taught by the new "teacher". After both of you have taught, you will complete the feedback form and discuss your feedback with each other. You will have 4 minutes each to teach and then 2 minutes to give each other feedback for a total of 10 minutes. Then we will debrief as a group. Your partner is the person sitting next to you. Questions about the process? Okay, if you don't have any, then take two minutes to look over the scenarios and decide which one you want to learn as the student and who will go first on your team. We will start the exercise at 10:30 and finish at 10:40 and then do a group debrief. Notice that the process and timing is listed on the slide and I'll remind you know when it is time to switch roles.

Process

 * 1) Facilitator introduces the activity with above introduction. 3-5 minutes.
 * 2) Participants pair up, decide on student scenario they want to be taught and who goes first. 2 minutes
 * 3) First role-play 4 minutes
 * 4) Second role-play 4 minutes
 * 5) Pair feedback 2 minutes
 * 6) Group debrief 5-10 minutes

Debrief

 * 1) Which of you decided to show your "student" how to answer the question by having him do the steps while you told him what to do? What was your reason for choosing that method? Would you use the same method again or try something else? What else might you try?
 * 2) Did any of you have a different sequence of steps or different features to answering the show me question than what your partner showed? If yes, tell the class your scenario and what you might have done differently.
 * 3) What scenarios or steps did you find difficult?

Credits
Inspiration for this activity came from Thiagi Gameletter March 2007 edition which suggested several practice and review games and from Thiagi's Question Cards game. The link to the newsletter is: http://www.thiagi.com/pfp/IE4H/march2007.html#ImprovGame

In the newsletter, Thiagi stated, " The whole point of training is to enable participants to recall and apply new skills, knowledge, and attitudes. In designing training, we should set aside ample time for structured practice-and-review activities. Practice opportunities contribute more to effective learning than the presentation of additional content. We should hold participants accountable for practice and review. Participants can assess each others' performance and provide useful feedback. This act of assessment works as an excellent learning tool. "

I was challenged by these points and decided to design an activity that has multiple goals:

a. Learners get practice teaching someone how to use the software which is what they will have to do after class ends. b. Learners get practice answering realistic "how to" or "show me" questions. c. Learners realize they can help and learn from each other in class which builds social cohesion during the session.